Dementia is not a normal age phenomenon
Dementia is not a normal age phenomenon. In dementia, memory is much faster and worse than usual because brain disease causes your brain to deteriorate. Also language deteriorates, familiar actions are lost, well-known objects are no longer recognized and so on.
Dementia is a collective term for a number of brain disorders that involve mental, physical, mental and social decline. It is estimated that 6 percent of the 65+ suffer from dementia and 30 percent of 80+ suffers from dementia. There are several causes of dementia, but they all have similar characteristics and symptoms.
The main cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, and over 60% of people with dementia suffer from this condition.
The symptoms of this condition are not always clearly recognizable at all times in the early stages of . .
The Alzheimer's Association has drawn up a list of 10 warning signs that may indicate that someone is suffering from Alzheimers disease. Other causes of dementia may lead to other symptoms at the beginning.
Ten warning signals
1. Memory loss
Someone with (early) Alzheimer's often forgets recent things and events. He forgets what he ate, who has just been there, where he has put things... But also names and phone numbers, dates (such as birthdays of children or grandchildren)... Also repeating the same things or repeating the identical questions, can be a signal.
In a first stage of dementia, the person may use camouflage techniques to hide it from the environment as much as possible and fill holes in his memory with events he imagines. He can tell for example that he went to cinema yesterday, when this was not the case at all.
It is noteworthy that long-term memory is in many cases good for a long time, and only in a subsequent phase will it be lost.
In the case of normal old memory loss, names or appointments are sometimes forgotten, but they usually remember them later.
2. Problems in planning and organizing
People with dementia are gradually having trouble planning, organizing and making decisions. This means they can no longer perform complex actions. For example, they can use a prescription, operate a new electrical device, manage medication, do shopping or follow the monthly bills. Or they can't understand (more) what certain figures are for. They can also think less flexibly and act so that they sometimes stick to certain habits or not adjust after an error.
3. Problems with Easy Tasks (Pyephalaxia)
Carrying out ordinary activities is becoming more difficult because sometimes people lose the overview and don't know what they are doing, what has already been done and how to deal with it. For example, controlling money business, operating household appliances, exercising hobby services... It also becomes more difficult to perform things in the right order. Like making coffee, preparing a meal, washing or shaving, brushing teeth, dressing up and undressing, closing buttons, playing cards..
4. Confusion (disorientation) in time and/or space
A person suffering from Alzheimer's disease may be mistaken in time and place.
Disorientation in space can manifest itself in different ways, for example by forgetting the place of residence, losing it in places that are normally well known, not knowing where one is...
Disorientation in time can manifest itself in forgetting dates or appointments, not knowing which day or month it is, whether it is day or night... That disorientation in times often leads to nightly unrest.
In a later stage of dementia, the person cannot recognize people from his immediate environment.
In the case of normal age forgetfulness one may doubt the day of the week, but quite soon one remembers that again.
5. Problems with recognizing objects, sounds and smells (agnosis)
Over time, the person with Alzheimer's can have problems recognizing objects, faces, sounds, smells... He may well see, hear, smell and feel but does not recognize what he perceives. For example, he can smell burnt air but doesn't recognise the meaning of that smell. Or he can hear the ringing phone, for example, but does't recognize the signal as a request for communication. Also, he may recognize the signals, but the telephone doesn't recognize them as a device. And he can also estimate distances less
6. Language problems (O-Aphasia .
Another symptom is forgetting simple words. The person with dementia can no longer name what he sees or hears. Even basic words such as .bread ., .bedding . or .eating .. . can also be used in the wrong context or unusual words (e.g. •clock . for .hour . , or •drink .for .water .). The person can stop talking and forget how to go on. Or he repeats what he said before . Following a
In the case of age forgetfulness one may have difficulty finding the right word immediately, but sooner or later one will come up with it.
7. Place things in the wrong place
A person with Alzheimer's can put things in the wrong place and lose stuff and not find out where he left them. For example, a toothbrush in the refrigerator or a book in the oven.
Everyone may be wrong, but usually they manage to get back on their feet and find the object.
8. Poor estimation of situations
The poor assessment of situations can happen in different ways. An Alzheimer's patient, for example, can wear a warm coat when it is hot or leave the house in full winter in his shirt sleeves. Or he can buy stuff he doesn't need, misjudge offers and suddenly spend a lot of money...
This can also be expressed in inappropriate behaviour, such as undressing in company, cursing, giving sexually tinted remarks, being afraid of television because he perceives the images for real. Usually this reduced judgment also means that the person with dementia does not see himself sick.
9. Loss of initiative and/or social isolation (apathy)
Someone with Alzheimer's can isolate themselves and stop playing favorite hobby dresses, avoid social activities, stop doing everyday things... but watch television all day long.
10. Behavioural and Personality Changes
A person with dementia can become confused, suspicious, depressed, anxious or very irritable, for example, thinking that things are being stolen, and also that they may be misguided, shouting, agitated or aggressive.
Without obvious cause, his mood can change. Thus the person with dementia can suddenly start crying and be very happy half an hour later.
He can also change character. He can sometimes do things he would never do otherwise. For example, in people who are previously closed and introverted, they may suddenly show an openness and inhibition.
The sooner the better
If you or a family member show any of these behaviours, there is certainly no reason to panic yet. However, it is wise to make an appointment with your doctor. It makes little sense to wait for symptoms to get worse.
Your doctor may perform a number of tests and tests to check whether dementia is indeed involved, normal memory loss or depression.
The sooner Alzheimer's treatment is treated, the better. Healing is impossible, but a treatment that slows down the disease is possible.
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